History

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Our Aims

It is our aim to encourage an enthusiastic interest in the study of the past, while developing in our pupils the ability to think critically about causation and sources of evidence. We also seek to develop the pupils’ skill of empathy, the ability to understand the motives, experiences and reactions of different individuals or groups within an historical situation. Pupils will also be encouraged to communicate information, arguments and conclusions clearly and coherently in writing and orally.

Staff

Dr J McCombe

Head of Department

Dr C Adair

Teacher

Mr J Carolan

Teacher

Mrs H Tate

Teacher

Miss K Barnett

Teacher

Curriculum

Key Stage 3

At the Academy, pupils begin their study of History in Form 1 with a Connected Learning Project entitled ‘Who am I?’. This project involves the pupils reflecting on how their personal history has shaped their identities. Following this the pupils study the Normans in England and Ireland and the Reformation in Europe. The Form 2 course involves pupils studying a variety of topics including the Spanish Armada, the Ulster Plantation and the Williamite Wars. A Connected Learning Project on the Armada vessel, Girona, is conducted as part of the pupils’ work on the Spanish Armada. The Form 3 course consists of the study of the First World War and Ireland (1800-1921). The final element of the Form 3 course is a further Connected Learning Project on the History of Malawi.

GCSE

Pupils follow the CCEA specification. In Form 4 the pupils study Germany (1918-1941) or the United States of America (1918-1941) and Great Britain, Northern Ireland and Ireland (c. 1965-1985). In Form 5 The Cold War (1945-1991) is studied along with an investigative study on The Life and Death of President John F. Kennedy.

AS

A2

Pupils follow the CCEA specification and study Ireland (1800-1900) and The Partition of Ireland (1900-1925).

Facilities & Resources

The History Department is located at the top of the Crombie building in rooms of much character. Considerable video material is available to help to bring the past to life, and the installation of a data projector in C6 has enabled access to CD-ROMs and the Internet. Classes are also given the opportunity to use the ICT suite and are encouraged to use the School Library; both of these facilities are located in the Crombie building, convenient to the History Department.

Additional Information

Where possible, visits are organised, for example to Carrickfergus Castle or to the Somme Heritage Centre. Sixth Form pupils attend lectures organised by the universities or CCEA. They may be selected to participate in Reading Parties organised by the Villiers Park Trust at Foxton, Cambridge. Many of our pupils go on to study History at University, including Oxford and Cambridge.